FORT MYERS, Fla. - After rallying from a 13-point deficit to earn a critical Atlantic Sun Conference victory last Saturday, Florida Gulf Coast University's men's basketball team enters an important three-game road stretch beginning Thursday as the Eagles take on the University of Central Arkansas at 8:30 p.m. in Conway, Arkansas.

FGCU (9-13, 3-4 ASUN) takes on UCA, the University of North Alabama, and Eastern Kentucky University over the three-game trip. UCA sits at 4-3 in the league standings, with North Alabama tied with FGCU at 3-4. EKU leads the conference with a 7-0 mark.

The Eagles feature the nation's leader in field goal percentage in KeeshawnKellman. Sitting at 71.6 percent from the field this season, the Allentown, Pennsylvania native would be shooting 74 percent, if not for an 0-for-5 mark from three-point range. Kellman has been even more difficult to stop in ASUN action as he has connected on 39-of-52 attempts from the field (75 percent).

Kellman was an essential cog in last Saturday's 73-67 win over Austin Peay State University as he converted a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Just as important was the shooting of Isaiah Thompson, who scored a game-high 21 points in the win.

Even though APSU had a size advantage, the Eagles still out-rebounded the guests by a 35-24 margin. Cyrus Largie had seven of those rebounds, the fourth time this season he has recorded at least seven boards. The Eagles are 4-0 in those situations.

All three games in the series between the two schools have been close, with neither team being able to defend its home floor. The Bears won Feb. 2, 2023, here by a 91-87 margin. FGCU has won both meetings in Conway, with both victories being decided in overtime. Andre Weir had a team-best 22 points in the Jan. 2 84-79 win at UCA last season, with Thompson adding 19.

UCA was in action last Saturday in Conway, earning a 92-87 win over Kennesaw State. Tucker Anderson was one of five players in double-figures for the Bears, leading the team with 19 points.

Following Thursday's contest, the Eagles travel to Florence, Alabama for a Saturday night game against UNA. Tipoff in that contest is set for 8:15 p.m.